Most of the time, the difference between first and second place in competitions does not come down to talent, it hinges instead on mental chatter. The individuals who can quiet the chatter in their mind (us amateurs know it well-that “please don’t let me mess this up” thought that often comes right before actually messing up) are way more likely to win against equally talented competitors who aren’t as adept at quieting the mind. Psychologist and researcher Mihály Csíkszentmihályi called it getting into a state of flow.

Neurofeedback is an excellent way to calm the body, resulting in the mind quieting itself and allowing the body to get into that zone of flow that lets people to do what they’ve trained to do, and an increasing number of athletes know this. Back in 2006, most of Italy’s World Cup-winning soccer team prepped for their challenge by participating in neurofeedback training.  Later, India won its first-ever gold medal in part as a result of their athlete using neurofeedback. And, the Canadian winter Olympic team also used the tool as they prepared to take home the gold as hosts of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games. Professional athletes of all walks, most notably baseball and football players, have joined the pursuit of a better brain.

This article is a couple of years old now, but it tells the tale of a White Sox pitcher who used neurofeedback to improve his game.

The great part about all the examples of famous athletes who are benefiting from using neurofeedback training is that it shows us that each of us can improve our respective game, whether it’s excelling in school, work, sports, or even at home. It’s a universally powerful tool for those who are willing to commit the time to make it happen.

If you’re interested in relaxing your body so you can quiet your mind, give me a call.